Proverbs 27:18
Proverbs 27:18 in Multiple Translations
Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored.
Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.
Whoso keepeth the fig-tree shall eat the fruit thereof; And he that regardeth his master shall be honored.
Whoever keeps a fig-tree will have its fruit; and the servant waiting on his master will be honoured.
Those who care for a fig tree eat its fruit, and those who care for their master are rewarded.
He that keepeth the fig tree, shall eate the fruite thereof: so he that waiteth vpon his master, shall come to honour.
The keeper of a fig-tree eateth its fruit, And the preserver of his master is honoured.
Whoever tends the fig tree shall eat its fruit. He who looks after his master shall be honored.
He that keepeth the fig-tree shall eat the fruit of it: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honored.
He that keepeth the fig tree, shall eat the fruit thereof: and he that is the keeper of his master, shall be glorified.
Those who take care of fig trees will have figs to eat; similarly, servants who protect their master will be honored by him.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 27:18
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 27:18 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
נֹצֵ֣ר
תְּ֭אֵנָה
יֹאכַ֣ל
פִּרְיָ֑/הּ
וְ/שֹׁמֵ֖ר
אֲדֹנָ֣י/ו
יְכֻבָּֽד
נֹצֵ֣ר
nâtsar
H5341
to watch
V-Qal
תְּ֭אֵנָה
tᵉʼên
H8384
fig
N-fs
יֹאכַ֣ל
ʼâkal
H398
to eat
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
פִּרְיָ֑/הּ
pᵉrîy
H6529
fruit
N-ms | Suff
וְ/שֹׁמֵ֖ר
shâmar
H8104
to keep
Conj | V-Qal
אֲדֹנָ֣י/ו
ʼâdôwn
H113
lord
N-mp | Suff
יְכֻבָּֽד
kâbad
H3513
to honor
V-Pual-Imperf-3ms
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 27:18
נֹצֵ֣ר
nâtsar
H5341
"to watch"
V-Qal
This word means to watch or guard something, like the Israelites watching over the Passover in Exodus 12:42 or God watching over his people in Psalm 121:4.
Definition: 1) to guard, watch, watch over, keep 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to watch, guard, keep 1a2) to preserve, guard from dangers 1a3) to keep, observe, guard with fidelity 1a4) to guard, keep secret 1a5) to be kept close, be blockaded 1a6) watchman (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 62 OT verses. KJV: besieged, hidden thing, keep(-er, -ing), monument, observe, preserve(-r), subtil, watcher(-man). See also: Exodus 34:7; Proverbs 2:8; Psalms 12:8.
תְּ֭אֵנָה
tᵉʼên
H8384
"fig"
N-fs
This word refers to the fig tree or its fruit, and is used in the Bible to describe a common food source in ancient Israel. It appears in stories like the one about Jesus and the fig tree in Matthew.
Definition: fig, fig tree
Usage: Occurs in 35 OT verses. KJV: fig (tree). See also: Genesis 3:7; Jeremiah 8:13; Psalms 105:33.
יֹאכַ֣ל
ʼâkal
H398
"to eat"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This word means to eat or devour, and it's used in many stories, including when Jesus fed the 5000 with fish and bread in the book of Matthew. It's about taking in nourishment and being satisfied.
Definition: 1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to eat (human subject) 1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds) 1a3) to devour, consume (of fire) 1a4) to devour, slay (of sword) 1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought) 1a6) to devour (of oppression) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be eaten (by men) 1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire) 1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh) 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to cause to eat, feed with 1c2) to cause to devour 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to feed 1d2) to cause to eat 1e) (Piel) 1e1) consume Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399)
Usage: Occurs in 703 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. See also: Genesis 2:16; Leviticus 6:9; Numbers 24:8.
פִּרְיָ֑/הּ
pᵉrîy
H6529
"fruit"
N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this word means the fruit that comes from the ground or from our actions. It is used in many books, including Genesis and Isaiah, to describe the results of our labor or the consequences of our choices.
Definition: 1) fruit 1a) fruit, produce (of the ground) 1b) fruit, offspring, children, progeny (of the womb) 1c) fruit (of actions) (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 107 OT verses. KJV: bough, (first-)fruit(-ful), reward. See also: Genesis 1:11; Proverbs 18:20; Psalms 1:3.
וְ/שֹׁמֵ֖ר
shâmar
H8104
"to keep"
Conj | V-Qal
To keep or obey means to protect, attend to, or guard something, like keeping a promise or watching over someone, as seen in the commands to observe the Sabbath.
Definition: : obey/observe 1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to keep, have charge of 1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life 1a2a) watch, watchman (participle) 1a3) to watch for, wait for 1a4) to watch, observe 1a5) to keep, retain, treasure up (in memory) 1a6) to keep (within bounds), restrain 1a7) to observe, celebrate, keep (sabbath or covenant or commands), perform (vow) 1a8) to keep, preserve, protect 1a9) to keep, reserve 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be on one's guard, take heed, take care, beware 1b2) to keep oneself, refrain, abstain 1b3) to be kept, be guarded 1c) (Piel) to keep, pay heed 1d) (Hithpael) to keep oneself from
Usage: Occurs in 440 OT verses. KJV: beward, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man). See also: Genesis 2:15; Deuteronomy 11:1; 1 Kings 14:8.
אֲדֹנָ֣י/ו
ʼâdôwn
H113
"lord"
N-mp | Suff
The Hebrew word ʼâdôwn refers to a lord or master, and can be used to describe human leaders or God. It emphasizes the person's power and control over others or things, and is often translated as lord or master.
Definition: 1) firm, strong, lord, master 1a) lord, master 1a1) reference to men 1a1a) superintendent of household, of affairs 1a1b) master 1a1c) king 1a2) reference to God 1a2a) the Lord God 1a2b) Lord of the whole earth 1b) lords, kings 1b1) reference to men 1b1a) proprietor of hill of Samaria 1b1b) master 1b1c) husband 1b1d) prophet 1b1e) governor 1b1f) prince 1b1g) king 1b2) reference to God 1b2a) Lord of lords (probably = "thy husband, Yahweh") 1c) my lord, my master 1c1) reference to men 1c1a) master 1c1b) husband 1c1c) prophet 1c1d) prince 1c1e) king 1c1f) father 1c1g) Moses 1c1h) priest 1c1i) theophanic angel 1c1j) captain 1c1k) general recognition of superiority 1c2) reference to God 1c2a) my Lord, my Lord and my God 1c2b) Adonai (parallel with Yahweh)
Usage: Occurs in 281 OT verses. KJV: lord, master, owner. Compare also names beginning with 'Adoni-'. See also: Genesis 18:3; 1 Samuel 25:30; 2 Kings 6:5.
יְכֻבָּֽד
kâbad
H3513
"to honor"
V-Pual-Imperf-3ms
This word can mean to honor or make something weighty, like when God is glorified in Psalm 138, or to be heavy with burdens, as the Israelites were in Exodus 18.
Definition: : honour/glory 1) to be heavy, be weighty, be grievous, be hard, be rich, be honourable, be glorious, be burdensome, be honoured 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be heavy 1a2) to be heavy, be insensible, be dull 1a3) to be honoured 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be made heavy, be honoured, enjoy honour, be made abundant 1b2) to get oneself glory or honour, gain glory 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to make heavy, make dull, make insensible 1c2) to make honourable, honour, glorify 1d) (Pual) to be made honourable, be honoured 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to make heavy 1e2) to make heavy, make dull, make unresponsive 1e3) to cause to be honoured 1f) (Hithpael) 1f1) to make oneself heavy, make oneself dense, make oneself numerous 1f2) to honour oneself
Usage: Occurs in 108 OT verses. KJV: abounding with, more grievously afflict, boast, be chargeable, [idiom] be dim, glorify, be (make) glorious (things), glory, (very) great, be grievous, harden, be (make) heavy, be heavier, lay heavily, (bring to, come to, do, get, be had in) honour (self), (be) honourable (man), lade, [idiom] more be laid, make self many, nobles, prevail, promote (to honour), be rich, be (go) sore, stop. See also: Genesis 13:2; Job 6:3; Psalms 15:4.
Study Notes — Proverbs 27:18
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 27:18 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 27:18
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 27:18
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 27:18
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 27:18
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 27:18
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 27:18
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 27:18
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 27:18
- Sermons on Proverbs 27:18
Context — Do Not Boast about Tomorrow
16restraining her is like holding back the wind or grasping oil with one’s right hand.
17As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
18Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored.
19As water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the true man. 20Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Corinthians 9:7 | Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Who tends a flock and does not drink of its milk? |
| 2 | 2 Timothy 2:6 | The hardworking farmer should be the first to partake of the crops. |
| 3 | Song of Solomon 8:12 | But my own vineyard is mine to give; the thousand shekels are for you, O Solomon, and two hundred are for those who tend its fruit. |
| 4 | John 12:26 | If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, My servant will be as well. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him. |
| 5 | Luke 12:37 | Blessed are those servants whom the master finds on watch when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve and will have them recline at the table, and he himself will come and wait on them. |
| 6 | Luke 12:43–44 | Blessed is that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. |
| 7 | Matthew 24:46 | Blessed is that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. |
| 8 | Luke 19:17 | His master replied, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very small matter, you shall have authority over ten cities.’ |
| 9 | 1 Corinthians 3:8 | He who plants and he who waters are one in purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. |
| 10 | Proverbs 22:29 | Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will be stationed in the presence of kings; he will not stand before obscure men. |
Proverbs 27:18 Summary
This verse is saying that when we take care of something or someone, we will get a good result. Just like a fig tree will give us fruit if we tend to it, our hard work and faithfulness will be rewarded. This is true not just for physical labor, but also for our spiritual growth and relationships, as we see in Psalm 37:3-4 and 2 Timothy 2:6. By being diligent and caring for others, we can experience God's blessings and provision in our lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to tend a fig tree in Proverbs 27:18?
Tending a fig tree refers to the care and attention given to nurture its growth and fruitfulness, much like how we are called to nurture our spiritual growth and the growth of others, as seen in Galatians 6:9 and Matthew 28:19-20.
How does looking after one's master relate to being honored?
Looking after one's master means being faithful and diligent in one's responsibilities, which can lead to recognition and honor, as seen in Proverbs 22:29 and Colossians 3:23-24.
Is this verse only talking about physical labor or is there a spiritual application?
While the verse uses physical labor as an illustration, it also has spiritual implications, reminding us that our faithfulness and diligence in serving God and others can lead to spiritual growth and rewards, as seen in 1 Corinthians 3:14 and Matthew 25:21.
How does this verse relate to our relationship with God?
This verse reminds us that our relationship with God is one of mutual care and attention, where we tend to our spiritual growth and He provides for us, as seen in John 15:1-17 and Psalm 23:1-4.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can 'tend' my spiritual growth and the growth of others in my life?
- How can I demonstrate faithfulness and diligence in my responsibilities, whether at work, home, or in my community?
- What are some areas where I can show greater care and attention to those around me, and how can I honor them as I would my master?
- How can I trust God to provide for me and nurture my spiritual growth, even in times of uncertainty or difficulty?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 27:18
Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof,.... That takes care of a fig tree, either his own or another's, planted in his garden or vineyard; see Lu 13:6; who cultivates it, digs about
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 27:18
Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 27:18
He mentions the fig tree, because they abounded in Canaan, and were more valued and regarded than other trees. He that waiteth on his master, that serves him faithfully, prudently, and diligently, shall be honoroured; shall receive that respect and recompence which he deserves.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 27:18
Proverbs 27:18 Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.Ver. 18. Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat, &c.] Of the continually renewed fruits thereof; for when the ripe figs are pulled off others shortly come in their place. The Egyptian fig tree is reported by Solinus to bear fruit seven times in a year: such as is good both for meat and medicine, as Galen observeth, and after him Dioscorides. So he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.] That is, Liberally maintained, and highly promoted, as Joseph was wherever he served. The heathens were very cruel to their servants; putting an engine about their necks, called παυσικοπη, and it reached down to their hands, that they might not so much as lick off the meal when they were sifting it. These poor servants were in worse case than the Jews’ oxen. But such as are faithful and serviceable, however their masters deal with them - they should deal well with them - God will bestow upon them a child’ s part, even "the reward of inheritance." Their masters also, if faithful and beloved, as "they partake of the benefit," viz., of their good service, so they will be beneficial to them. Beneficentiae recompensatores, as Bullinger, after Theophilact, renders that text, 1 Timothy 6:2. οιτηςευεργησιαςαντιλαμβανομενοι.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 27:18
(18) Whoso keepeth the fig-tree—i.e., tends it carefully year after year, “shall eat the fruit thereof” when it has come to perfection. So he that waiteth on his master—i.e., attends to him, observes and follows out his wishes, “shall be honoured” for his good service. (Comp. Matthew 25:21.)
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 27:18
18. See Genesis 39:4; Genesis 39:22; and for the highest reference of the proverb, St Matthew 25:21; St John 12:26.
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 27:18
Waiteth - literally, “keepeth,” “observeth.” As the fig tree requires constant care but yields abundant crops, so the ministrations of a faithful servant will not be without their due reward. Compare 2 Timothy 2:6.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 27:18
18. Eat the fruit thereof — Diligence and faithfulness in any relation of life shall be honoured with a reward. A general principle. Waiteth on — Guards his master, or watches faithfully over his interests. Comp.
Sermons on Proverbs 27:18
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Regulating Various Activities by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses various aspects of life and society based on the teachings of Proverbs. He emphasizes the importance of diligence and taking care of on |
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Servants Honored by C.H. Spurgeon | C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the honor and joy found in serving the Lord Jesus, comparing it to tending a fig tree that yields sweet fruit. He illustrates that while serving lesser mas |
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The Battle of Life (The Christian's Warfare) by C.H. Spurgeon | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of starting early in the pursuit of a life dedicated to serving God. He warns young men and women that the road to spiritual v |
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1 Cor 9 by George Verwer | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the biblical basis for supporting workers in the work of God. He references various scriptures, including 1 Corinthians 9:7-14, to emphasize t |
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The Labourer Is Worthy of His Hire by George Verwer | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the financial challenges and expectations faced by missionaries, particularly in the context of the organization OM (Operation Mobilization). |
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Cd Gv275 the Labourer Is Worthy of His Hire by George Verwer | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the problem of overemphasizing a simple lifestyle while trying to evangelize the world. He shares his personal affinity for saving money and r |
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Its Cowardly Service vs. the Real Warfare by Catherine Booth | Catherine Booth preaches about the cowardly service of popular Christianity in contrast with the real warfare demanded by Christ, emphasizing the need for truth, love, and self-aba |